March 10, 2025
The 4 dynamic leaders have been acknowledged on the Luminary Awards for demonstrating distinctive management, driving significant impression, and taking an progressive strategy to create change of their respective fields.
About 1,800 Black ladies gathered in Las Vegas this previous weekend for the nineteenth annual BLACK ENTERPRISE Girls of Energy Summit, the premier skilled improvement convention for girls of colour. The four-day occasion enriched attendees with the instruments, connections, and knowledge they should elevate their careers and climb the company ladder.
Along with panel discussions, one-on-one profession and monetary teaching, and networking alternatives, the summit honored 4 rising leaders paving the way in which for the following technology of ladies executives and enterprise titans throughout the third consecutive Luminary Awards Luncheon. Talking in entrance of a whole lot of Black ladies professionals, every honoree shared an inspirational message whereas accepting their award.
“As we rejoice three years of the Luminary Awards, I’m reminded that being a trailblazer isn’t nearly the place we stand as we speak—it’s about who we’re lighting the trail for forward,” stated Monique Rodriguez, the founder and CEO of Mielle Organics, throughout her acceptance speech. “We pave the way in which so the following technology can go additional.”
Rodriquez, a former registered nurse, started concocting merchandise for naturally textured hair in her house a decade in the past. After promoting hair merchandise independently, Mielle acquired a $100 million funding from Berkshire Companions, a personal fairness agency, in 2021. The corporate was later acquired by Procter and Gamble (P&G) in an enormous nine-figure deal in 2023. Immediately, Mielle Organics operates as an impartial subsidiary of P&G Magnificence whereas Rodriquez continues to play a hands-on position in managing the model and merchandise.
“After I began Mielle Organics in 2014 in my kitchen, it was extra than simply about haircare. It was actually about goal. It was about creating merchandise that not solely empower ladies to embrace their pure magnificence, but additionally to uplift and encourage them to chase their goals fearlessly,” she stated. “As Black ladies, we don’t simply construct companies—we construct communities, and we create legacies.”
Whereas receiving her Luminary Award, Minda Harts, a office guide, writer, and speaker, shared how attending the Girls of Energy Summit in 2017 impressed her to resign from an unfulfilling company place and to turn into a full-time entrepreneur.
“Within the office, I used to be having panic assaults, despair, and I used to be struggling in silence,” she recalled. Nevertheless, she stated connecting her with different Black ladies in company America on the convention was refreshing and inspiring.
“It was an area the place I may meet different folks and speak concerning the issues that I wasn’t speaking about out loud,” stated Harts. “I simply felt so seen.”
Harts, whose 2019 bestseller, The Memo, was tailored into a brief movie starring Kayla Pratt final 12 months, inspired the viewers to stay steadfast of their profession journeys.
“Bear in mind that you’re seen and you’re valued and also you should be in each room you enter, however not each room deserves to have you ever,” she informed attendees.
Honoree Tunde Oyeneyin, a New York Occasions‘ best-selling writer, Peloton teacher, and motivational speaker, lit up the stage whereas accepting her award.
“The solar doesn’t rise till I stroll into the room,” she shouted whereas reciting the lyrics from Jorja Smith’s “Lastly.” “I’m displaying up for me, lastly! I’m taking good care of me, lastly!”
After opening up about her previous struggles with weight and insecurity, Oyeneyin testified that something is feasible.
“Energy is your connectivity—the extent of engagement you must your goal,” stated the previous make-up artist-turned-motivational speaker. “The nearer you’re to goal, the stronger your energy.”
Throughout her acceptance speech, Emmy-winning sports activities journalist Jemele Hill talked concerning the significance of talking up and advocating for herself all through her journey as a former ESPN writer-turned-independent journalist, on-air expertise, and entrepreneur. She additionally thanked her household and followers for his or her assist all through her two-decade journey, which has left an indelible mark on journalism, broadcasting, and podcasting.
“As I’ve been capable of take these steps and climb this ladder in my profession, I noticed that my downside was not that I didn’t dream massive. My downside was that I didn’t dream sufficiently big,” stated Hill, the co-founder of Lodge Freeway Media and a contributing author for The Atlantic.
Hill went on to make sure attendees that she, too, experiences the identical challenges as a Black lady navigating company areas.
“What I’d say to all of the Black ladies on this room is, I do know folks see our titles, they see our successes, they see us wanting fabulous, and folks from afar are sometimes amazed by the image that we current. However I do know all too properly behind that image there’s somthing else occurring. Each lady on this room goes by way of a personal battle that we all know nothing about,” she stated.
Nevertheless, as soon as entering into the awards ceremony, she says she felt an “an outpouring of affection” and camaraderie.
“Everyone knows concerning the personal battle,” Hill continued. “We all know concerning the scars that we’ve got. We all know that indisputable fact that if you communicate up and arise for your self, that comes with a whole lot of ache. I’d say to all the ladies on this room who’ve had these scars and who’re carrying that baggage, that it’s OK. There are higher days forward.”